Flint mayor announces reelection bid at childhood church

FLINT, MI-- Flint Mayor Karen Weaver officially announced plans to run for reelection at her childhood church on April 9.

The rally took place at Vernon Chapel Church off of Dupont Street. Several pastors and community leaders, including former mayor Woodrow Stanley, were in attendance supporting Weaver.

“I stood in this very church knowing that my city, our city, was suffering from a crisis and I was determined to be the leader we all needed to see us through recovery,” Weaver said. “It hasn’t been easy by any means, but it’s all been worth it.”

With the deadline for candidate petitions on April 23, Weaver and her campaign have raised $252,522 already for the Nov. 6 election cycle compared to the $55,549 she raised in her first election in 2015.

“We were given poisoned water with no answers or foreseeable solutions,” Weaver said addressing the crowd. “When I took office this city was under emergency management and the emergency manager not only sold our 72-inch water pipe but they changed our water source as well.”

Weaver, a clinical psychologist and small business owner, received 55 percent of the votes cast (7,825) in the 2015 election on Nov. 3, compared to 43 percent (6,061) for former Mayor Dayne Walling. Walling was Flint mayor for six years before Weaver was election into office.

A few months after her election, Weaver declared a water crisis state of emergency in Flint on Dec. 15, 2015. Former President Barack Obama followed Weaver and former Governor Rick Snyder and declared a federal state of emergency in Flint on Jan. 14 2016.

“Crime was at an all time high, fires were left burning in the night, assets were sold left and right and our finances were practically in a shamble... I was told time and time again because I had no power there was nothing I could do..." Weaver said. "The city of Flint was missing real investments, partners and leadership... our city was in a state of emergency and I looked around back then and I was poised with the question, ‘Can these dry bones live?’ The first thing I did was declare the truth so that all could hear our pain.”

Flint’s primary mayoral election will take place on August 6 and its general election will take place on Nov. 6.

Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission.